The sensitivity of thermography to temperature changes in breast tissue

This study evaluates the ability of thermography to i) detect temperature changes in a lactating breast in response to the application of therapeutic ultrasound; ii) identify an area of raised temperature in a breast affected by mastitis; and iii) detect temperature changes in the affected area in response to the application of ultrasound. An area of raised temperature (36 degrees C), corresponding with the area of inflammation, was identified in a mastitic breast. Eighty-seven per cent of this area had returned to normal resting breast temperature (33 degrees C) within 30 minutes of application of pulsed ultrasound. The use of thermography to evaluate temperature changes in mastitic breast tissue before and after the application of ultrasound is supported.